Anna Maria incumbents running, but no opponents - yet

By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter

Anna Maria’s three incumbent city commissioners have all indicated they will seek re-election in November, but any political campaigning for a two-year seat on the commission may be moot. No other candidates have yet announced they will contest the incumbents.

But the official start date to qualify to seek a commission seat was Sept. 4, and candidates have until Sept. 19 to file their papers and be certified by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Commission Chairman John Quam, who has already served six years on the commission, said he will seek a fourth term, and first-time commissioner Christine Tollette also threw her hat in the ring. Commissioner Dale Woodland, who has served two terms in office, indicated two weeks ago he will file for the Nov. 6 elections. Both Woodland and Tollette have already picked up election qualifying packets from the SOE office.

Commissioners Duke Miller and Jo Ann Mattick, along with Mayor Fran Barford, are presently in the middle of their terms of office and will not be up for re-election until November 2008.

But if one idea that will be presented to the city’s charter review committee when it’s formed is approved, all six elected officials may be running next November.

Barford has indicated she will ask the committee to examine a city charter amendment that would have all six officials elected the same year. The move would save the city about $3,000 every other year.

Any amendment proposed by the committee, which has not yet been formed by the mayor or approved by the commission, must be placed on an election ballot and passed by a majority of voters.

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